Plumber/pipefitter

As per the Department for Business and Trade, the National Living Wage for security guard roles in the United Kingdom is £12.80 per hour as of April 2026 for workers aged 21 and over. Overtime must be paid at least at this rate. Security guards must receive this regardless of shift patterns or zero-hour contracts.

As per the Home Office, all security guards in the United Kingdom require a valid SIA licence costing £190 for a three-year period as of 2026. The licence must be obtained before starting employment in manned guarding. Renewal requires completing a refresher training course every three years.

As per the Security Industry Authority, applicants for security guard roles in the United Kingdom must be aged 18 or over with no unspent criminal convictions. They must complete an approved Level 2 Award in Security Guarding before applying for the SIA licence. No prior experience is required but a valid SIA licence is mandatory.

As per the Security Industry Authority, applicants must provide proof of identity, address, and right to work in the United Kingdom along with the SIA licence application. A completed Level 2 Award certificate and passport-style photo are also required. DBS check results must be submitted if requested by the employer.